Modular molding

ABSTRACT

A tubing including an overmold is connected to a fitting by welding the overmold to the fitting. Methods for doing the same are also provided. Also provided are methods for forming an overmold on a tubing or on a tubing and fitting assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/149,031, filed on Apr. 17, 2015, entitled“MODULAR MOLDING”, the contents of which are fully incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fluid transfer assemblies for use in transporting medical substances, aswell as fluid use in formulating pharmaceuticals, include connectingportions which connect tubular portions. The connecting portions may be“T” fittings, crosses, or just linear fittings for connecting two tubestogether. Other connection types include those by which tubular portionsare connected to another functional component of the fluid transferassembly, such as a filter. Typically, these fluid transfer assembliesare formed via mechanical connections that most often comprise a hosebarb connector. The hose or tubing is fitted over the hose barbconnector and a cable tie, or other mean of mechanically securing thetube to the connector, is then affixed over the tubing and hose barb.These mechanical connections serve primarily to lock the tubing in placeand prevent it from sliding from the hose barb connector, however theprimary seal is provided via the hose barb and tubing interface. Inother fluid transfer assemblies, the connections are formed via aprocess commonly known as overmolding. Tubing to be connected is placedin a mold with the internal bore thereof typically supported via aremovable internal component, after which a molding process is completedto form the overmold, and the internal support typically removed. Thechallenges associated with this is approach is that the internal supportlimits the applications is can be applied to. It is also often difficultto precisely align the tubes in the molding equipment to properly allowfor the formation of the overmolded piece, and the operation in generallimits fabrication flexibility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an example embodiment a method of attaching a tubing to a fitting isprovided. The method includes forming an overmold over an end of thetubing, and welding the overmold to an end of the fitting allowing forflow through the tubing and fitting. In another example embodiment, themethod further includes forming another overmold over another tubingend, and welding the another overmold to another end of the fittingallowing for flow through the tubing, the fitting and the anothertubing. In one example embodiment, forming the overmold includes formingthe overmold having a first section surrounding an end portion of thetubing and a second section extending from the first section andextending beyond the end portion of the tubing in a direction oppositethe tubing, and welding includes welding the second section to thefitting end. In a further example embodiment, the fitting end includes afitting end surface and the second section includes a second section endsurface, and welding includes abutting the second section end surface tothe fitting end surface. In yet a further example embodiment, the secondsection defines an inner surface for contacting the fluid flow, andforming the overmold includes forming the inner surface to have a firstportion having a first diameter and a second portion extending from thefirst portion to the second section end surface having a second diametergreater than the first diameter. In another example embodiment, thefitting includes an inner surface for contacting the fluid flow, theinner surface having a first portion having a first diameter and asecond portion extending from the first portion to the fitting endsurface and having a second diameter greater than the fitting innersurface first diameter. In yet another example embodiment, weldingincludes filling at least a portion of the second portions of theovermold and the fitting with molten material molten during the welding.In a further example embodiment, the tubing includes an inner surfacehaving a diameter for contacting the fluid flow, and the tubing innersurface diameter is the same as the second section inner surface firstdiameter and the fitting inner surface first diameter. In yet a furtherexample embodiment, the fitting end includes a recess and the overmoldincludes a projection extending transversely from an annular surface ofthe overmold, and the method includes inserting the projection into therecess prior to welding. In one example embodiment, the recess includesa first shallower portion and a second deeper portion extending radiallyoutward form the first shallower portion, and inserting the projection,includes inserting the projection to abut the first shallower portion.In another example embodiment, the overmold is formed from at least oneof a thermoplastic elastomer or a polypropylene, the fitting is madefrom at least one of a polypropylene or polyethylene, and the tubing ismade from a thermoplastic elastomer.

In a further example embodiment, a tubing assembly is provided. Thetubing assembly includes a first tubing including a first overmoldformed over an end of the first tubing and a fitting including a firstend. The first overmold is welded to the first end allowing for a flowthrough the tubing to the fitting. In yet another example embodiment,the tubing assembly also includes a second tubing including a secondovermold formed over an end of the second tubing, and the fittingincludes a second end, and the second overmold is welded to the secondend allowing for a flow through the tubing, the fitting and the secondtubing. In a further example embodiment, the first overmold includes afirst section surrounding an end portion of the tubing and a secondsection extending from the first section and extending beyond the endportion of the tubing in a direction opposite the tubing, and whereinthe second section is welded to the first end of the fitting. In yetanother example embodiment, a recess is defined in the first end andwherein the first overmold includes a projection received in the recess.In one example embodiment, the projection extends transversely from anannular surface surrounding the projection and the recess includes afirst shallower portion and second deeper portion radially outward fromthe first shallower portion, and wherein the projection abuts the firstshallower portion. In a further example embodiment, the first end of thefitting includes an annular portion radially outward of the recess, therecess is defined within the annular portion, and when the projection isabutting the recess first shallower portion, the fitting first endannular portion is spaced apart from the annular surface of theovermold. In yet a further example embodiment, the fitting is part of,or is coupled to, an encapsulated filter for providing fluid flow tosuch filter. In one example embodiment, the fitting is part of, or iscoupled to, a component of a fluid transfer assembly selected from thegroup of components consisting essentially of filters, sensingcomponents, pressure gauges, and biocontainers. In another exampleembodiment, the overmold is formed from at least one of a thermoplasticelastomer or a polypropylene, the fitting is made from at least one of apolypropylene or polyethylene, and the tubing is made from athermoplastic elastomer.

In yet another example embodiment, a tubing assembly is providedincluding a tubing including a first overmold formed over an end of thefirst tubing, and a fitting including a first end, wherein the overmoldis thermally bonded to the first end and the tubing. In a furtherexample embodiment, the overmold is formed from at least one of athermoplastic elastomer or a polypropylene, the fitting is made from atleast one of a polypropylene or polyethylene, and the tubing is madefrom a thermoplastic elastomer.

In yet a further example embodiment, a method for forming tubingassembly is provided. The method includes selecting a fitting havingfirst end and a second end, a first flange closer to the first end thanthe second end, a second flange closer to the second end than the firstend, and a locating feature, inserting the first end into a first tubinguntil the first tubing abuts the first flange, inserting the second endinto a second tubing until the second tubing abuts the second flange,placing the fitting with tubings into a mold aligning the locatingfeature with a locating feature within the mold, molding a firstovermold over the first tubing and over the fitting, and molding asecond overmold over the second tubing and over the fitting. In anotherexample embodiment, the first and second flanges are different portionsof the same flange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a plan view of an example embodiment fitting with projection.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the fitting shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a bottom cross-sectional view of the fitting shown in FIG.1A, taken along arrows 1C-1C.

FIG. 1D is plan cross-sectional view of the fitting shown in FIG. 1A,taken along arrows 1D-1D.

FIG. 2 is a plan cross-sectional view of a tubing assembly incorporatingthe fitting shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mold used to form overmolds in thetubing assembly shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views rotated 90 degrees,respectively, of a tubing assembly connecting a smaller diameter tubingto a larger diameter tubing.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are top and plan views, respectively, of a fitting usedin the tubing assembly shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIGS. 5C and 5D are cross-sectional views rotated 90 degrees,respectively, of the fitting shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, taken alongarrows 5C-5C and 5D-5D, respectively.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment tubingassembly prior to welding.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the tubing assembly shown in FIG. 7after welding.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another example embodiment tubingassembly prior to welding.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the tubing assembly shown in FIG. 8after welding.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of another example embodiment overmoldfitting assembly where the overmold is thermally welded to the fitting.

FIGS. 10B, 10C, and 10D are partial cross-sectional views of the exampleembodiment overmold fitting combination shown FIG. 10A. FIG. 10B is anassembly view. FIG. 10C is a partial exploded view of the embodimentshown in FIG. 10B. FIG. 10D is an assembled view.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are partial cross-sectional views of another exampleembodiment assembly, where FIG. 11A is an exploded view and FIG. 11B isan assembled view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a first example embodiment, the present disclosure is related to afluid transfer assembly formed by connecting three tubes or conduitstogether using a “T” connector or fitting (individually or collectively“fitting”). However, it should be understood that the disclosure is notlimited assemblies using just using “T” fittings for connecting threetubes. In other examples, a linear fitting can be used to connect twotubes, or cross fittings may be used to connect four tubes, or othermultiple connector fittings for connecting multiple tubes. In an exampleembodiment shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D, a “T” fitting 10 (the“fitting”) is used. The fitting includes three barbed ends 12, 14, 16,and also, a locating feature 18, such as a projection that extends froma body 20 of the fitting. The projection does not extend into the fluidflow path 22 of the fitting, as can be seen in FIG. 1C. Each barb endhas an outer surface 24 tapering from a larger diameter 26 to a smallerdiameter 28 toward or at its corresponding end 30. It should be notedthat fittings can also function, in an example embodiment, without thetapering outer surface, specifically, without a barb. In other words, insome embodiments, a barb is not necessary.

Flanges 32, 34 or gussets are attached to the fitting. In an exampleembodiment, a first flange 34 is attached along the linear portion ofthe fitting, and two opposite “L” shaped flanges 32 are attached betweenthe horizontal and vertical portions of the fitting. In an exampleembodiment, the flanges 32, 34 are plate like members. The flanges formstops and as such may have shapes other than plate like.

To assemble the assembly, a tube 36, 38, 40 is placed over itscorresponding barbed end until an end 37, 39, 41 of the tube abutsagainst the ends of flanges 32 and 34, as shown in FIG. 2. Theconnection is then placed into injection molding equipment mold 42, suchthat the projection 18 is received in a complementary depression 44 inthe mold (FIG. 3). The projection aligns the fitting within the moldsuch when an overmold 48 is formed in the mold, it will extend a desiredamount over each tube end and corresponding fitting end, as for exampleshown in FIG. 2. Thus, each type of fitting can be aligned precisely inthe mold to produce the right sized overmold. In this regarding,standard fittings having the appropriate locating feature can be used torepeatedly produce the same overmold having the same dimensions over thesame portions of all the tubes being connected.

The overmold is formed by injection molding. A heated material isinjected into the mold to form the overmold using methods known in theart. In one example embodiment, the material may be a thermoplasticelastomer (TPE) or a polypropylene.

In an example embodiment, the rigid fitting may also be made ofpolypropylene or polyethylene. In another example embodiment, thefitting may be made from TPE. In an example embodiment, the tubes may bemade from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material. During theovermolding process, heat from the injected material which forms theovermold is sufficient to create a permanent, or a significantlypermanent, thermal bond between both the tubes and their respectiveovermolds, as well as the rigid fitting ends and their respectiveovermolds. The heat from the injected material is sufficient to at leastpartially melt at least an outer surface portion of the tubing and/orfitting, which together with the injected material form the thermalbond. This thermal bond allows the overmold to be the connector betweenthe tube and fitting. Once the overmolding has taken place, the assembly50 is removed from the mold and is ready to use and in an exampleembodiment with no further post processing.

In an example embodiment, the fitting is formed with the flanges 32, 34in place. In other words, the flanges are formed integrally with thefitting or may be formed by machining the outer surface of the fitting.In other example embodiments, the flanges may be separately formed andattached to the fitting as for example by bonding, such as adhesiveboding or welding. Welding as used herein refers to known weldingprocesses such as thermal welding processes which include, but are notlimited to, hot plate welding, thermal impulse welding and inductionheating. Other welding processes include ultrasonic welding and frictionwelding. The welding processes generate sufficient heat to melt thematerials of the parts being welded at the location where the weldingtakes place. Other processes that generate heat to melt the materials ofthe parts being welded sufficiently for intermixing are also consideredas welding processes. Thus, “welding” as used herein refers to allwelding processes used to join plastics.

In another example embodiment, a fitting 60 may be used to connect alarger diameter tube 62 with a smaller diameter tube 64 (FIGS. 4A and4B). Again, a locating feature, such as a projection 68 extends from thefitting 60. The fitting also includes opposite flanges 70 (FIGS. 4A, 4B,5A, 5B, 5C and 5D). As before, the two diameter tubings are slid overtheir corresponding barbed ends 74, 76 of the fitting until they abutthe flanges 70. The fitting with tubing is then placed into the moldingequipment mold, and the projection 68 is fitted within a correspondingdepression within the mold, precisely aligning the fitting within themold so as to allow for the overmold 80 to be formed at the preciselocations and over a precise amount of the tubes 62, 64. In otherexample embodiments, instead of a projection 18, 68 a depression isformed on the fitting and a corresponding projection is formed in themold instead of the depression 48. In this regard, the mold projectionwill be received in the fitting depression.

In another example embodiment, an overmold 100 is overmolded at the endof each tubing 102, as for example shown in FIG. 6, using well knownmethods. As before, the overmold may be formed from TPE or polyolefin,as for example polypropylene or polyethylene. The tubings may be madefrom a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Each overmold with attached tubingmay then be welded to a rigid fitting 104, as for example apolypropylene molded fitting 104. In another example embodiment, thefitting 104 can be manufactured from a TPE material. The fitting 104 maybe a “T” connector shown in FIG. 6. In another example embodiments, theconnector may be a linear connector for connecting two tubings, or maybe a cross connector or any other type of connectors for connectingmultiple tubings together, or a member of connecting tubing to anotherfunctional component of the fluid transfer assembly, such as for examplea filter, a pressure gauge, a sensing component, a biocontainer, etc.

In the shown exemplary embodiment, each overmold 100 is molded over anend 106 of its corresponding tubing 102 using known methods such asinjection molding. The overmold is bonded to its corresponding tubingand in exemplary embodiments, is thermally bonded to its correspondingtubing. In this regard each overmold 100 includes a larger diameterinner surface 108 and a smaller diameter inner surface 110 defining ashoulder 112 there between. The larger diameter outer surface 110interfaces with the outer surface 114 of the tubing. The smallerdiameter inner surface 110 in an example embodiment has the samediameter as the inner surface 116 of the tubing. While the diameters ofthe smaller diameter inner surface of the overmold and the diameter ofthe inner surface of the tubing in one embodiment are not the same, inan example embodiment they are preferred to be the same to allow for asmooth transition and thus flow between the two. Each end 118 of thefitting 104, in an example embodiment, is complementary to the end 120of an overmold 100. In other words the diameter of the inner surface 122of the fitting is the same as the diameter of the smaller diameter innersurface 110 of the fitting. Similarly the diameter of the outer surface124 of the overmold proximate the end 120 is the same as the diameter ofthe outer surface 126 of the fitting end 120. The overmold 100 with itsattached corresponding tubing 102 is welded to the end 118 of thefitting.

In an example embodiment, areas of relief 132, are formed at the innersurface of the overmold extending to the end 120 and at the innersurface of the fitting extending to the end 118. The relief sections areformed by increasing the inner surface diameter for a linear length toaccount for melt back during the welding process, such that when thecomplete joint is formed, a generally smooth inner surface is formedacross the inner surface of the overmold and the inner surface of thefitting. In one example embodiment, the inner surface diameter isincreased by up to half of the thickness 204 of the tubing wall forlength up to half of the thickness 204 of the tubing wall to form thearea of relief. The welding is accomplished using standard thermalprocesses creating thermal weld joints 134 and integral fluid paths 136without requiring further post processing because of the area of relief,as shown in FIG. 7.

In another example embodiment, the overmold can have a smaller diameterinner surface section 138 that tapers to a larger diameter section orend 140, as for example shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The larger section end140 is complementary to a fitting 142 end 144. The end 140 of theovermold is welded to the end 144 of the fitting allowing for a smallerdiameter tubing 146 to be coupled to a larger diameter tubing 148 usinga fitting 142. The larger diameter tubing is connected to the fitting asdescribed with the previous embodiment. In another example embodiment, ayet larger diameter tubing may be fitted with an overmold having aninner surface that decreases in diameter toward its end. In this regardthe decreased diameter end is welded to the fitting allowing for an evenlarger diameter tubing to be connected to a larger diameter tubing 148.

In another example embodiment, the tubings with overmold are attached toa fitting 151 as shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D. In the exampleembodiments shown in FIG. 10A, a cross fitting is used to couple fourtubings (two larger diameter tubings 154 and two smaller diametertubings 184). However, this example embodiment may be used to connecttubings of the same or different diameters. In the shown exampleembodiments, each of the overmolds 150 includes a projection 152 definedopposite the tubings 154, 184. The projection is defined by creating adepression defining a surface, such as an annular surface 153. A recess156 is defined in the fitting 151 to receive the projection 152. In theshown example embodiment, the overmold diameter 158 of the recess 156 isgreater than the outer diameter 160 of the projection 152. In the shownexample embodiment, the recess 156 includes an outer deeper portion 162and a shallow inner portion 164. The shallow inner portion has adiameter 168 that corresponds to the outer diameter 160 of theprojection. In this regard, when the projection is inserted into therecess, the end surface 170 of the projection is aligned to abut againstthe shallow inner portion 164 end surface 163 of the recess. Moreover,the projection has a length 172 that is slightly greater than the length174 of the outer deeper portion 162 of the recess 156. In this regard,when the overmold projection end surface 170 abuts the recess endsurface 163, a gap 165 is defined between an edge end surface 174 of thefitting and the end surface 153 of the overmold. Once the overmold abutsthe fitting, a relief area 167 is defined between the end surface 153and the end surface 169 of the outer deeper portion of the recess. Inthis regard, during thermal welding, any overage of the welded materialis received within the gap 165 and the relief area 167, thus preventingor minimizing overflow of the welded material.

In another example embodiment, instead of the outer recess portion 162being deeper than the recess shallow inner portion 164 of the recess156, it may have the same depth or may be shallower. In yet anotherexample embodiment, the recess may extend all the way across the entirefitting such that an annular portion 176 is not defined around therecess 156. An annular groove 180 may be defined on the outer surface ofthe overmold allowing for handling of the overmold and for positioningonto the fitting.

As shown in FIGS. 10B and 10D, an overmold having the same interfacefeature, such as an overmold 182, may be used to connect a smallerdiameter tubing 184 to the fitting. It should be understood that inother example embodiments, the end geometries of the overmold andfitting may be reversed such that the fitting end fits into theovermold. In other example embodiments, the end geometry of the fittingmay be formed as part of an overmold at the end of the fitting. In otherwords, the fitting may have multiple sections or parts.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the overmold overlaps thetubing along a longitudinal distance 200 that is greater than the wallthickness 204 of the tubing. In an example embodiment, the distance 200is at or about four times the wall thickness 204. The overall length 206of the overmold, in an example embodiment, is also greater than thetubing wall thickness 204. In one example embodiment, the overall length206 of the overmold is equal to, or about equal to, eight times the wallthickness 204. However, it can range to a length longer or shorter thanthat. In an example embodiment shown in FIG. 10C, the overmold extendsover the tubing by a length 210 greater than the thickness 212 of thetubing wall. In one example embodiment, it extends over the tubing wallby four times or about four times the thickness of the tubing wall. Inan example embodiment, the projection 152 extends axially from thesurface 153 by a distance (length) 172 that is about equal to, orgreater than, 0.25 times the thickness 216 of the projection 152. In anexample embodiment, the length 172 of the projection 152 is about equalto the thickness 216 of the projection, plus about 0.030 inches. In theshown example embodiment, the thickness 218 of the overmold sectionextending over the tubing is about equal to, or is equal to, the tubingwall thickness 212 of the tubing. In one example embodiment, thethickness of the overmold is about equal to, or greater than, at leasthalf the thickness of the tubing wall 212. In another exampleembodiment, the deeper portion 162 of the recess 156 extends along aradial distance 220 that is at least about 0.25 times the thickness 216of the projection 152. In an example embodiment, it is about 0.75 timesthe thickness 216 of the projection.

In another example embodiment, the tubing 102 with overmold 100, as forexample shown in FIGS. 6, 7A, and 9, or a tubing 154 with overmold 150,as for example shown in FIGS. 10B, 10C, and 10D, is thermally welded toa fitting for receiving fluids to be processed through an encapsulatedfilter 302, as for example shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. In other exampleembodiments, instead of a filter, the fitting is connected to, or ispart of, another component of a fluid transfer assembly, such as forexample a sensing component, a pressure gauge, or a biocontainer. Theovermold is connected to a fitting 300 by thermal welding as describedin relation to FIGS. 6 to 10D. The end fitting 300 receives fluid to beprocessed through an encapsulated filter 302. The end fitting andencapsulated filter (or other device) may form a cartridge 310, as forexample shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

In example embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 6 to 11B, the overmoldmaterial may be formed from a TPE or a polypropylene, the fitting isformed from the fitting polypropylene, polyethylene, or TPE, and thetubings may be made from a TPE. In other example embodiments, othermaterial that allow for thermal welding and/or thermal bonding may beused.

With the example embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 to 11B, specific lengthsof standard tubing sizes having specific inner surface diameters andouter diameters may be formed with an overmold and stored, and then maybe welded as necessary to a fitting without the need of having to forman overmold over the connected tubing and fitting. In exampleembodiments, connectors or fittings may also be formed by an injectionmolding process.

In another example embodiment, one overmold 100 extending from onetubing may be directly welded to another overmold 100 extending fromanother tubing to connect such two tubings together without the use of aconnector or fitting.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of thisdisclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised whichdo not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Theinvention is also defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of attaching a tubing to a fittingcomprising: forming an overmold over an end of the tubing; and weldingthe overmold to an end of the fitting allowing for flow through saidtubing and fitting.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:forming another overmold over another tubing end; and welding saidanother overmold to another end of said fitting allowing for flowthrough said tubing, said fitting and said another tubing.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein forming said overmold comprises forming saidovermold having a first section surrounding an end portion of saidtubing and a second section extending from said first section andextending beyond said end portion of said tubing in a direction oppositesaid tubing, and wherein welding comprises welding said second sectionto said fitting end.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said fitting endcomprises a fitting end surface and wherein said second sectioncomprises a second section end surface, wherein welding comprisesabutting said second section end surface to said fitting end surface. 5.The method of claim 4, wherein said second section defines an innersurface for contacting said fluid flow, wherein forming said overmoldcomprises forming said inner surface to have a first portion having afirst diameter and a second portion extending from the first portion tothe second section end surface having a second diameter greater than thefirst diameter.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said fitting comprisesan inner surface for contacting said fluid flow, said inner surfacehaving a first portion having a first diameter and a second portionextending from the first portion to the fitting end surface and having asecond diameter greater than the fitting inner surface first diameter.7. The method of claim 6, wherein welding comprises filling at least aportion of said second portions of said overmold and said fitting withmolten material molten during said welding.
 8. The method of claim 6,wherein the tubing comprises an inner surface having a diameter forcontacting said fluid flow, wherein said tubing inner surface diameteris the same as the second section inner surface first diameter and saidfitting inner surface first diameter.
 9. The method of claim 3, whereinthe fitting end comprises a recess and wherein the overmold comprises aprojection extending transversely from an annular surface of theovermold, wherein the method comprises inserting the projection into therecess prior to welding.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the recesscomprises a first shallower portion and a second deeper portionextending radially outward form the first shallower portion, whereininserting the projection, comprises inserting the projection to abut thefirst shallower portion.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the overmoldis formed from at least one of a thermoplastic elastomer or apolypropylene, the fitting is made from at least one of a polypropyleneor polyethylene, and the tubing is made from a thermoplastic elastomer.12. A tubing assembly comprising: a first tubing comprising a firstovermold formed over an end of the first tubing; and a fittingcomprising a first end, wherein the first overmold is welded to thefirst end allowing for a flow through said tubing to said fitting. 13.The assembly of claim 12, further comprising a second tubing comprisinga second overmold formed over an end of the second tubing, wherein saidfitting comprises a second end, wherein said second overmold is weldedto said second end allowing for a flow through said tubing, said fittingand said second tubing.
 14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said firstovermold comprises a first section surrounding an end portion of saidtubing and a second section extending from said first section andextending beyond said end portion of said tubing in a direction oppositesaid tubing, and wherein said second section is welded to said first endof the fitting.
 15. The assembly of claim 12, wherein a recess isdefined in said first end and wherein the first overmold comprises aprojection received in said recess.
 16. The assembly of claim 15,wherein the projection extends transversely from an annular surfacesurrounding the projection and wherein the recess comprises a firstshallower portion and second deeper portion radially outward from thefirst shallower portion, and wherein the projection abuts the firstshallower portion.
 17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the first endof the fitting comprises an annular portion radially outward of therecess, wherein said recess is defined within said annular portion,wherein when said projection is abutting said recess first shallowerportion, said fitting first end annular portion is spaced apart fromsaid annular surface of said overmold.
 18. The assembly of claim 12,wherein the fitting is part of, or is coupled to, an encapsulated filterfor providing fluid flow to such filter.
 19. The assembly of claim 12,wherein the fitting is part of, or is coupled to, a component of a fluidtransfer assembly selected from the group of components consistingessentially of filters, sensing components, pressure gauges, andbiocontainers.
 20. The tubing assembly of claim 12, wherein the overmoldis formed from at least one of a thermoplastic elastomer or apolypropylene, the fitting is made from at least one of a polypropyleneor polyethylene, and the tubing is made from a thermoplastic elastomer.21. A tubing assembly comprising: a tubing comprising a first overmoldformed over an end of the first tubing; and a fitting comprising a firstend, wherein the overmold is thermally bonded to the first end and thetubing.
 22. The tubing assembly of claim 21, wherein the overmold isformed from at least one of a thermoplastic elastomer or apolypropylene, the fitting is made from at least one of a polypropyleneor polyethylene, and the tubing is made from a thermoplastic elastomer.23. A method for forming tubing assembly comprising: selecting a fittinghaving first end and a second end, a first flange closer to the firstend than the second end, a second flange closer to the second end thanthe first end, and a locating feature; inserting the first end into afirst tubing until said first tubing abuts said first flange; insertingthe second end into a second tubing until said second tubing abuts saidsecond flange; placing said fitting with tubings into a mold aligningsaid locating feature with a locating feature within the mold; andmolding a first overmold over the first tubing and over the fitting; andmolding a second overmold over the second tubing and over the fitting.24. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein said first and secondflanges are different portions of the same flange.